Warning as otters snatch expensive koi carp from garden ponds

The fish are being snatched as the otter population in Britain thrives.

Hugh Miles, a documentary-maker from Dorset, has lost 15 koi carp and golden orfe, some of which were more than 20 years old.

Thriving: Britain's otter population is on the rise - and they're after our fish!

He said: ‘Otters are good at climbing and digging and they managed to scale a 6ft-high fence. I love otters but the problem is the rivers are depleted of fish so they are hunting in people’s gardens. Some conservationists think they are cuddly, playful creatures but they are killers.’

Billy Andrews, a butcher from Verwood, Dorset, discovered the remnants of his £200 albino grass carp on his patio.

Thousands of pounds of expensive koi carp are being eaten by Britain's otters

The Dorset Wildlife Trust has issued a warning to householders about the threat and suggests one option would be to keep frogs and newts instead of expensive fish, or protect ponds with metal grids.

Spokesman Clive Martin said: ‘Otters have discovered that breakfast, lunch and dinner is provided by ponds.’

Graham Scholey, of the Environment Agency, warned that otters are protected and anyone attempting to kill, harm or disturb them can be fined £5,000 or jailed for six months.